Floor scrubbing machine



July 8, 1-941.

W. S. FINNELL FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE Fild April e, 1957 16 shee/ts-sheet 1 July 8, 1941. w. s. FINNELL FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE Filed April 6, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 8, 1941. w. s. FINNELL 2,248,699

FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE Filed` April 6, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 8; 1941- w. s. FINNELL FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE Filed April 6, i937 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 8, 1941. w. s. FINNELL- FLooR vSCRUBBIYNG MACHINE Filed April 6, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 5 my 8, 941- W. s. FINNELL 2,248,699

FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE Filed April 6, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 7 '.uy 1941. w. s. FINNELL FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE Filed April 6, 1937 l'sheets-Sheet 8 July s, 1941. w s, FINNELL 2,248,699

FLOOR -SCRUBBING MACHINE July 8, w41 W. s. FlNNl-:LL 2,248,699

FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE u Filed April 6. 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 10` July 8, 1941.

` w; s. FINNELL FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE Filed April 6, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 11 July 8, 1941- w. s. FINNELL `2,248,699

l FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE Filed April e, '19s? 1e sheets-sheet 12 Il' IIL Juy 8, Y1941. w. s. FINNELL FLOOR `scmnsfsnm MACHINE Filed April 6, 1937 I 16 Sheets-Sheet 13 July 8, 1941. w. s. FINNELL FLOOR SCHUBBING MACHNE Filedv April e, 1957 v 1e sheets-sheet 14 July 8, 1941. w- 5 FINNELL l 2,248,699

FLOOR SCRUBB'ING MACHINE F'iled April 6, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 JY EME w. s. FINNELL. `y l 2,248,699

FLOOR SCRBBING MACHINE Filed April 6, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 Patented July 8, 1941 circo rss FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE tion of Indiana Application April 6, 1937, Serial No. 135,291

23 Claims.

My invention relates to scrubbing machines for cleaning floors, decks, platforms, and similar locations having an extended area, and is principally concerned with providing a self-propelled machine for scrubbing, rinsing, collecting the dirty water and wiping the oor along a strip of predetermined width.

One object of my invention is to devise a machine of the character indicated in which the brushes apply a substantially constant scrubbing pressure by being adapted to freely and individually position themselves in response to irregularities and malformations in the floor and further in which the brushes are so related that the space covered `thereby is cleaned without streakiness.

A further object is to provide a scrubbing machine in which the quantity of water and cleaning compound or soap powder delivered to each brush can be accurately controlled to insure an economical use of these materials and an equal consumption thereof by each brush, as well as the preparation of a cleaning emulsion of proper strength, or mixture.

A further object is to provide for the premixthe compound of the supply line leading to each brush.

A further object is to provide a scrubbing ma- K chine in which water is delivered to the brushes for scrubbing and also directly on the floor rearwardly of the brushes-as the machine is advanced in order to further liduify the emulsion of water and dirt left by the brushes and so facilitate its removal.

A further object is to devise a machine as noted above in which provision is made for collecting the dirty water and withdrawing the same from the floor into a suitable receptacle, the collecting device additionally operating to wipe the floor clean.

A further object is to provide a scrubbingmachine equipped with a mop or squeegee device and with vacuum mechanism for lifting the dirty Water from the iioor into a storage receptacle on the machine, the operation of the vacuum device being controlled by the movement of the squeegee to. working position.

A further object is to devise a self-propelled scrubbing machine in which the connectionsbetween .the power source and the driving wheels are arranged to provide for a free movement of one oi the` wheels while maintaining. a driving connection to the other wheel when the direction of the machine is changed, thus enabling the machine to turn corners easily.

These and further objects of my invention will be set forth in the following specication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and the novel means by which said' objects are eiectuated will be definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of my improved machine showing the scrubbing and squeegee mechanisms in operative relation to the floor, the controlling devices for these mechanisms, and the powder distributor.

Fig. 2` is a plan View of the switch box and voltage regulator which control the operation of the several motors mounted on the machine, as viewed inthe direction of the arrow 2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1,'but looking at the opposite side ofthe machine.` v

Fig. 4 is lan enlarged side elevation of the machine, asy viewed in Fig. l, certain protective shields being removed to expose the drive constructions for the scrubbing mechanisms, the piping for controlling the water distribution for scrubbing and rinsingand the distributor which regulates the now of cleaning compound to the brushes.

Fig. 5 is a plan View of the machine chassis or frame, the clean and dirty water tanks being removed. f l

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken along the line 6 6 in 5, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the construction for transmitting power to4 the driving wheels of the Inachine.

Fig. 'l is a section along the line l--l in Fig. 6. looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, sectional view of the clutch which controls the transmission of power between the main driving motor and the driving wheels of the machine.

Fig. 9 isa section along the line i-B in Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows. l

Fig. l0 is a vertical, sectional relevation of the right-hand driving wheel, as viewedy in the direction of the arrowl l il in Fig. 3. Y

Fig. 1l. is a fragmentary elevation of one of the shoes which establish a driving connection. between the driving axle and the driving wheels.

Fig. l2 is an enlarged, front elevation of the lower portion ,of the machine, as viewed in the direction of the arrow I2 in Fig. 3, showing the scrubbing mechanism and the powder distribution to each mechanism.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged, side elevation of the lower portion of the machine, looking in the direction of the arrow I3 in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a View of the underside of the scrubbing mechanism, looking in the direction of the arrow I4 in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section, of the left-hand scrubbing mechanism, as viewed in Fig. 12, showing the universal mounting of each brush, the brush being rotated through an angle of 99 from the position illustrated in Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged, sectional elevation taken along the line Iii--It` in Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the arrangement of the piping for distributing water to the brushes for scrubbing and to the iioor for rinsing.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevation, looking in the direction of the arrow I1 in Fig. 16, and showing the adjusting arrangement for securing an equal rate of water flow to each brush.

Fig. 18 is an end elevation of the adjusting arrangement shown in Fig, 17, looking in the direction of the arrow I8 in said figure.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged side elevation of the operating handle and associated parts for controlling the water flow to the brushes, as viewed in Fig. 1.

Fig. 20 is a section along the line 28--20 in Fig. 19, looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. `21 is an end elevati-on, partly in section, of the powder distributor as viewed in Fig, 3, and showing the driving mechanism for the agitators in the powder container and the powder conduits.

Fig. 22 is a sectional elevation of the distributor taken along the line 22-22 in Fig. 23, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the container and conduit agitators.

Fig. 23 is a section along the line 23-23 in Fig. 21, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 24 is a section taken along the line 24-24 in Fig. 23, looking in the direction of the arrows, or toward the underside of the powder container. Fig. -25 is a section along the line 25-25 in Fig. 23, looking in the 'direction of the arrows, and showing the 'adjustable feature provided on one of the gates for controlling the powder how through the associated conduit.

Figs. 26 and 2'7 are views looking at the underside of the powder container, or in the direction of the arr-ow 28 in Fig. 23, showing the closed and Tully opened positions, respectively, of the gates which control the powder iiow through the several con-duits leading to the brushes.

Fig. '28 is an enlarged end elevation of the machine, as viewed in the direction of the arrow 28 in Fig. 4, showing the squeegee mechanism.

Fig. 29 is a fragmentary, sectional elevation taken along the line 29-29 in Fig. 28, looking in the direction of the arrow, and showing the devices for releasably locking the squeegee in working relation to the floor.

Fig. `30 is a sectional elevation of the dirty water tank, as viewed in the direction of the arrow 3!) in Fig. 1.

Fig. '31 is a vert-ical, sectional elevation o'f the whistle or signal means that is Iassociated with the dirty water tank for the purpose of notifying the operator when this tank is iilled.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, my improved machine generally comprises a wheeled frame I0 which is partially supported and driven forward by a pair of driving wheels I I. Resting on the frame is a clean water tank I2 which is appropriately connected by a system of piping to a scrubbing mechanism I3 and to this machanism is also fed a washing compound, generally a soap or cleansing powder, from a distributor I4. Rearwardly of the driving wheels and also supported by the frame I 0 is a squeegee mechanism 'I5 which serves the dual purpose of collecting the dirty water emulsion formed by the scrubbing action, this emulsion being thinned after the scrubbing operation by the addition of clean water `from the tank I2, and also serves to wipe the floor clean. The dirty water collected within the confines of the squeegee I5 is evacuated by a 'device hereinafter described into the dirty water tank I5 and at an appropriate time in the operation of the machine, the operator is warned by a signal means that the tank I6 is filled.

The machine is therefore self-propelled and operates to clean a width of oor equal to the width of the brushes provided on the scrubbing mechanism. Normally, the machine operates along straight lines, but is `capable of having its direction of movement readily changed by the operator without interrupting the major functions of the machine. The machine is a selfcontained unit in that it not only performs the ordinary scrubbing and wiping operations, but it is also provided with all the facilities necessary for supplying the cleansing materials, as well as evacuating the dirty water.

For the purpose of description, it is convenient to divide the machine into its various structural and operative features and these aspects of the machine will now be described.

Frame and main drive Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the numeral I1 designates a skeleton 'frame having the generally rectangular shape shown in plan -view in Fig. 5 and which has attached at the forward end thereof a V-shaped extension I8. At the vertex of this extension is suitably mounted a pilot caster roller I9 whose supporting shank is rotatably mounted in the frame extension 'I8 so that the direction of the 4machine can be readily changed. y

Adjacent the rear end of the frame, a driving axle 2U (see Figs. 5, 6, and 7) is bridged between and journaled in a pair of downwardly extending brackets 2l that are secured to the frame and freely rotatable on the ends of the axle 20 are driving wheels 22.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 10 and 11, the axle 2D extends through each wheel 22 and` has fixedly attached to the extremity thereof a hub 23 which is provided with a plurality of radially extending arms 24. A dog 25 is pivotally mounted, as Iat the point 26, on each of the arms 24 and each dog is provided at its outer extremity with a shoe portion 21 having an arcuate surface that is intended to engage with the inner, peripheral surface of the wheel 22. As clearly indicated in Fig. 10, the wheel 22 is substantially I-shaped in sectional elevation with the web of the wheel disposed substantially midway between the sides thereof. Accordingly, it is possible by this construction to not only provide for the peripheral surface that is frictionally engaged by the dogs 25, but to substantially house these dogs in one side of the wheel.

For a purpose presently explained, the center of 'curvature of the arcuate surface ofthe shoe portion 21 is offset from a line connecting the centers of the pivot 26 and of the axle 20 and, for the right-hand driving wheel which is illustrated in Figs. 'l0 and lfl, this oisetting-would-be to the rig-ht Iof the indicated line. A stirb arm 28 projects from one si'de of thedog 25- and'secured to this arm is one end of a coil spring 29 whose opposite end is attached to the arm Y2li. The tendency of this spring is to force the dog 25v into frictional contact with the Wheel 2'2.

` Intermediate the brackets 2l which ksupport the axle 20 is a sprocket 30 which is fast on the axle and operating over this sprocket is a chain 3| which also operates around a sprocket` 32 that is secured to a friction drum 33 freely rotatable on a shaft 34 (see Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive). The shaft 34 extends transversely of the principal frame of the machine and at its outer end is journaled in a bracket 35 that also depends downwardly from the frame and is located outwardly of the left-hand bracket 2l, as viewed in Fig. 6. The inner end of the shaft 34 is suitably journaled in a gear case 3B that is appropriately hung from the frame and within this case is a worm gear 31 that is secured to the shaft 34. The worm gear 31 meshes with a worm 38 which is drivably connected to the armature (not shown) of the main drive motor 39 that isY also appropriately suspended from the frame. The motor 39 is electrically connected by wires (not shown) to a switch box 40 that is supported on a superstructure, generally indicated by the numeral dl in Fig. 1 and which extends upwardly from and is carried by the principal frame I1. The switch box 40 is provided with a switch 42 for controlling the operation of the motor 39.

The friction drum 33 constitutes one of the principal elements of the clutch for controlling the transmission of power from the motor 39 to the driving axle 2l) and positioned within this drum and adapted for frictional driving contact with the inner peripheral surface thereof is a split, springy, friction band 43. One end of this band abuts against a shoulder 44 provided on a pin 45 that is xedly mounted in a hub 46 that is keyed to the shaft 3 4, while the opposite end of the band abuts against a similar shoulder 41 provided on a rotatable pin i8 Ythat extends outwardly of the hub 45 (see Fig. 8). VA lever arm 49 projects inwardly from the pin d8 in offsetl relation to the shaft 3d', the arm i9 and pin 48 forming a unitary structure, so that when the lever arm .9 is rocked as hereinafter described,

the friction band 33 is expanded outwardly into driving contact with the drum 33 against the abutment provided by the shoulder 44 and, when the lever arm 49 is moved to the 'position indicated in Fig. 9, the normal, retracting action of the band 133 places it in the position shown in the indicated figure, i. e., in a released position.

In order to reduce frictional losses in the op'- erating mechanism, the lever arm 43 is preferably provided with an encircling Vroller 50 which is engaged by a frusto-conical shifting collar 5| that is freely slidable along Athe shaft 34. The collar 5l is provided with an annular channel 52 which is embraced b-y a band 53V having a pair of radially extending trunnions 54. Each of these trunnions is engaged by the forked end of a yoke 55 (see Figs. 6, '7, and 8) and this yoke is pivotally mounted, as by the pins 56 upona pair of laterally extending ears 5l. formed on the bracket 35. As indicated in Figs. 6 and 8,v the ling the machine.

shifting collar 5| is in a released position and it is normally held so'by means of a coil spring 58, one end of which is connected to an extension 59 formedY on the yoke and the other end is connected to the gear case 36.

The yoke 55 is also provided with an arm 53Y which extends laterally of the machine beyond the bracket 35 and substantially pivotally connected .to this arm is one end of an operating rod 60 whoseiopp'osite end extends upwardly along the; side of the machine (see Fig. l) and is substantially pivotally connectedv to one arm cf'a lever 6l which is pivotally mounted on the side ofv a guide rod 62 that extends downwardly and diagonally along the adjacent side of the machine and is bent rearwardly thereof and shaped as a 'hand grip 63. The other arm of the lever 6iy is formed as a trigger grip 64, this trigger grip being located conveniently to the adjacent hand grip 63 so that the operator has at all times immediate control of the main driving clutch.

From the foregoing description, it will be obviousl that, when the operator lifts the trigger grip v64 upwardlyV from the position shown in Fig. 1, the clutch collar 5i will be shifted toward the right, as viewed in Figs. 6 and 8, andY will thereby establish a power connection between the motor 39 and the driving axle 20.

' As viewed from the right-hand side of thc machine; i. e., as illustrated in Fig. 3, the rotation of the driving axle 20 is in a clockwise direction and, due to this direction of rotation and the manner of mounting the dogs 25 on the hub 23, it will be obvious that the shoe portions of the dogs will be thrown into frictional driving contact with the wheels 22, thereby self-propel- The action is similar to that of a toggle mechanism, the axle and the point where the shoe contacts the wheel forming the ends ofthe toggle and the dog asthe knee of the toggle.

This driving connection with the wheel 22 will be maintained so long as the machine moves along a straight line. If the operator wishes to change the direction of the machine, it is merely necessary to point the machine in the desired direction, whereupon the rotation of thethen outside driving wheel relative to the rotation of pivot 23 acting thedriving axle will automatically effect a' release of the driving dogs 25.

'distance between which, transversely of the machine, is greater than the `over-all tread of the wheels. These guard rails may be provided with ,a protective strip of rubber 6T and each rail is lalso provided with a freely rotatable guard wheel 68. Accordingly, the machine may be operated relatively close to walls and baseboards without injury to the latter.

Scrubbing mechanism Referring to Figs. l2 to l5, inclusive, the scrubbing mechanism hereinbefore referred to bythe numeral I3, generally comprises a pair of individually mounted and driven brushes which are pivotally mounted on the frame so that each brush applies a substantially constant scrubbing pressure to the floor, as well as accommodating itself to any irregularities that may be encountered on the floor surface.V The brushes are further arranged so that the areas contacted thereby overlap, thus avoiding any possibility of the machine leaving a streaked line between the individual brushes.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 14, a pair of spaced arms --10 depend downwardly from the forward cross member 69 of the frame and pivotally mounted on the lower ends of these arms are the ends of the limbs of a U-shaped cradle 1| which extends forwardly of the machine and is located on the right side of the machine, as viewed in Fig. 12. On the left side of the machine, a pair of downwardly and forwardly projecting arms 12 extend from the cross member 69 and pivotally mounted on the lower ends of these arms are the ends of the limbs of a similarly U-shaped cradle 13.

A motor 111 is mounted on the cradle 13 and is electrically connected by wires (not shown) to a switch designated by the numeral 15 in Fig. 2. Forwardly of the motor 14, the cradle 13 also supports a gear case 16 in which is suitably journaled a worm 11 that is connected to the armature (not shown) of the motor 14. The worm 11 meshes with a worm gear 18 that is fast on a shaft 19 which extends downwardly through the bottom of the case 16 and has its lower end secured to one-half of a universal coupling 8U. The lower half of this coupling is formed as an elongated, flat plate 8| and extends through a correspondingly shaped aperture provided in the hub 82 of a brush ring denoted generally by the numeral 83 (see Fig. 15).

A T-shaped slot B4 extends in and upwardly from the lower face of the plate 8| andV the limbs of this T form hook-shaped recesses for receiving the prongs of a U-shaped spring clip 85 whose arms normally diverge and are pressed towards each other by the downward insertion of the plate 8| through the medium of inclined faces 86 provided on the upright of the T-shaped slot. By virtue of thisY construction, the brush ring 83 and hence the brushes may easily accommodate themselves to surface irregularities in the floor, vertical irregularities being accommodated by the principal pivotal mounting of the cradle 13,

while other irregularities are accommodated by the loose and universal mounting of the brush.

The brush ring hub 82 is connected by a plurality of radial arms to an annular vertical wall 81 from which projects outwardly a flat, annular flange 88 provided around its periphery with a downwardly extending lip 89. A plurality of segmental-shaped brushes 90 are seated against the inside, upper surface of the flange 88 and against the annular lip 89 and are held in this position by means of a plurality of bowed springs 9|, each of which bear at their ends against the backing 92 of the associated brush and at their middle portions against the annular wall 81. In order to maintain the brushes in the indicated position when the brush rings are lifted, as hereinafter described, the annular lip 89 may be tapered slightly inwardly with a corresponding formation provided on the adjacent portion of the brush backing.

Similarly, the cradle 1| supports a motor 83 which is connected by wires (not shown) with an operating switch 94 provided in the switch box 40 (see Fig. 2). The remaining construction of this particular portion of the machine is iden- Cil tical with that heretofore described and it will be understood that the brushes 95 are mounted in the associated brush ring and connected to the motor 93 in the same manner as are the brushes to the motor 13.

Due to the forward disposition of the cradle supporting arm 12, it is clear from an examination of Fig. 14 that the brushes 98 will lie slightly forwardly of the brushes when in operative relation-to the floor. By this construction, it is possible to so position the brushes 90 and 95, transversely of the machine as to provide for a slight overlap ofthe floor areas contacted by each brush. This arrangement is an important feature of my machine, as it is thereby possible to provide the machine with a plurality of brushes which manifestly increases the cleaning or scrubbing rate of the machine without any danger of leaving streak lines between the adjacent edges of the brushes. A further very important feature of the machine resides in the pivotal mounting of the cradles which are employed to support each brush and the individual motor drive to each brush. By adopting this construction, it is possible to make the machine substantially independent of any discrepancies in the floor surface as would otherwise occur in a multi-brush machine, or in a single brush machine, where the brushes are more or less rigidly attached to the machine frame. The motor, gear cases, and associated parts provide sufficient weight to insure an adequate scrubbing pressure of the brushes.

When the machine is not in use, or when it is desired to move the machine from place to place without scrubbing, it is desirable that the brushes be elevated from the floor. For this purpose, an arm 96 is fastened to and projects laterally from the gear case 15 and projecting downwardly through an aperture in this arm is a link 91 which carries at its lower end below the arm 96 a pair of lock and adjusting nuts, designated generally by the numeral 98. Above the arm 96, the link 91 is bent and rotatably mounted in the lower end of a rock arm 99 whose upper end is fast to a cross operating shaft |00 that is journaled in the frame extension I8 (see Fig. 5). A similar linkage |0| is connected to the right-hand scrubbing machine, as viewed in Fig. 12.

The operating shaft |00 extends beyond the frame of the machine on the left side thereof and has attached thereto a rock arm |02. One end of an operating rod |03 is connected to the arm |02 and this rod extends upwardly and rearwardly for pivotal connection to a manual brush lever |04 which is pivotally mounted on the superstructure 4| adjacent the rear end of the machine. When the lever |04 is moved from ,the position indicated in Fig. 1 rearwardly to a. position in which the pivotal connection of the rod |03 to the lever |04 passes beyond the pivot of the lever, it is obvious that the mechanisms just described will lift both sets of brushes from the floor and will hold them in the lifted position. 'Ihe nuts 98 and their counterpart on the link assembly 0| are positioned so that, when the lever |04 occupies the position illustrated in Fig. 1, the brushes will exert full scrubbing cont-act with the floor.

Water distribution One of the important features of my improved machine is the manner in which the flow rate of water to each brush is controlled so as to insure that each brush will receive an equal quan- 

